In her cover story with ALLURE, Rachel Zegler discusses stepping into the beloved role of SNOW WHITE and overcoming the online criticism she faced when cast in the titular role. “The reality is, I was given a chance because I could sing.”
Zegler also discusses having to ‘prove’ her Latina identity, her hopes for diversity in the future of casting, challenges of finding female friendship in the entertainment industry, and having a strong circle of support from Ariana Grande, Lucy Lui, Jameela Jamel, and Helen Mirren.
On feeling she needed to ‘prove’ her Latina identity when auditioning for West Side Story: “There’s confusion because I don’t have a single ounce of Latin in my name. When I was in the running for María in West Side Story, they kept calling to ask if I was legit. I remember thinking, Do you want me to bring my abuelita in? I will. I’ll bring her into the studio if you want to meet her…It’s an interesting experience being part of that diaspora in the current climate we live in. But I love being Colombian.”
On the future of diversity in casting: “My only prayer for the future of diversity and inclusion is that we invest in and nurture talent no matter what they look like.”
On having a strong circle of women supporting her, including Jameela Jamil, Helen Mirren, Lucy Liu, and Ariana Grande:
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“[Actor and activist] Jameela Jamil is like a big sister to me. I love that she has no regrets about being outspoken, about being strong-willed and strong-minded.”
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[Shazam! Fury of the Gods costars Helen Mirren and Lucy Liu] “have been my keepers in all of this, where I feel very held by them.”
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[Ariana Grande] “She reached out to me—kind of apropos of nothing—and was like, ‘If you need anything, I am here.’ She is so deeply kind. She has gone through so much in the public eye, and I have always really, really admired her courage in the face of all of that.”
On the challenge of finding female friendship in the industry: “All I’m ever really looking for in this business is a sister and they’re not always easy to find. We’re often told that other women have to be your competition and I don’t subscribe to that. I really do believe in championing your friends and championing your coworkers, whether you’re close with them or not. So the second that there’s any intimidation or competition, just put on ‘Girl, so confusing’ by Charli XCX and talk it out. I’ve come to know that in the last couple of years, in search of female friendship in the industry, there is room for all of us no matter what anybody else will have you think.”
On wanting it all: “I want a family, but I also want to work until I die. I love telling stories. I never want to stop doing that, but I also really look forward to the day when I can come home and have a life partner, be married, and have babies and the dog and the white fence and feel like I’ve done it all.”
Writer: Patricia Alfonso Tortolani
Photographer / Director: Diego Bendezu
Stylist: Dione Davis
Hair: Sonny Molina
Makeup: Raisa Flowers
Manicure: Honey
[Photo Credit: Diego Bendezu/Allure Magazine]
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